Kenneth Claborn

Funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 31 at the First Baptist Church in Decatur with Ken May and Dan Hunt officiating. Interment will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers include Lawrence Brown Jr., Matthew Brown, Randell Johnson, Jerry Brooks, Josh Brooks, Loyd Jackson. Honorary Pallbearers include the Adult 6 Mens Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church of Decatur which are Kenneth Mark Brown, Edsel Dodge, Glenn King, Raymond Gann, Edwin Haney, and A.C. Griffin.

Kenneth was born April 19, 1925 in Wise County to Prince Avitt and Elma (Ray) Claborn. He married Venita Merle King on November 5, 1949 in Electra, Texas. Kenneth retired from Wise Electric Coop in 1989 after 14 years as a groundman. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Decatur and also of the Texas Baptist Men's Church Builders.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Merle Claborn of Decatur; 2 daughters, Jenny Brown and husband Lawrence of Plano, and Janet Johnson and husband Randell of Moore, Oklahoma; 3 grandchildren, Kenneth Mark Brown, Matthew Ryan Brown and wife Jessica, and Michelle White and husband Bobby; 2 great-grandchildren, Courtney Brown, and Caleb Brown; 2 sisters, Marie Dodge of Azle and Louise Choate of Krum.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his sister Maxine Pinckard.

Memorials can be made to the First Baptist Church of Decatur Building Fund or to the Texas Baptist Men Association, 5351 Catron Drive, Dallas, Texas 75227 Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home 940/627-5959